Breath activated vaporization adapter for a water pipe

ABSTRACT

A breath activated vaporization adapter capable of connecting a vaporization cartridge to a water pipe, which allows the user to screw the vaporization cartridge into the adapter and insert the vaporization adapter into a water pipe and vaporize the vaporizable materials in the cartridge by breathing in to an opening on the water pipe thus providing additional filtration through the water submerged in the main body of the water pipe.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to a prior-filed provisional application Ser. No. 62/836,591 filed on Apr. 19, 2019.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to the field of electronic vaporization adapters and more particularly for a breath activated vaporization adapter used to connect a water pipe and vaporization cartridge.

BACKGROUND

Smoking accounts for about 30% of all cancer deaths in the United States, including about 80% of all lung cancer deaths. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women and is one of the hardest cancers to treat. Smoking also leads to cancer in other various organs such as the esophagus, larynx, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, pancreas, stomach, and cervix. Smoking from cigarettes also generates side stream smoke, which is smoke that moves into the surrounding air, leading to “secondhand” smoke to bystanders that can be just as deadly. Vaporization avoids these problems by instead of having tobacco, cartridges are filled with water, nicotine, flavoring, and a VG (vegetable glycerin)/PG (propylene glycol) mixture. A small heating element inside the vaporization devices turns theses liquids into a vapor that is then inhaled through a mouthpiece. Because the liquid is only heated to a certain temperature, there is no combustion of materials and thus smoke containing dangerous toxins and constituents to be inhaled.

On the other hand, external water filtration device or water pipes have also been used as alternative method to cigarettes. Water pipes filter the smoke through the water so that it does not reach as a high as a combustion level as it would inside of a cigarette thus avoiding irritating a user's air passageways, providing a more pleasant experience. Using heated water, water pipes also kill various types of bacteria and carcinogens in the smoke, delivering a cleaner inhalation. However, water pipes are usually used with organic materials, thus lacking increased flavor profiles and increased absorption levels commonly found in vaporized materials from a vaporization cartridge. Current systems combine vaporization cartridges with water pipes as an all in one unit with the water pipe permanently attached or the cartridge itself is redesigned so it is inverted and fits to the water pipe proving costly and time consuming to find these specially made cartridges. Thus exists a need for an adapter that connects a vaporization cartridge to an external water filtration device such as a water pipe to provide a satisfying inhalation of vapor, with increased flavor profiles and increased absorption levels along with a produced vapor air mixture that is much cooler and more hydrating on the throat of the user.

SUMMARY

In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

The present invention is directed to a vaporization adapter system comprising an adapter, a water pipe, a vaporization cartridge, the adapter having a receptacle to receive a vaporization cartridge, the adapter having an outlet configured to be inserted into a downstem of a water pipe, the vaporization cartridge having an atomizer and reservoir, the adapter further comprising one or more breath activated sensors configured to determine a change in pressure and send a signal to a microprocessor, the microprocessor configured to provide electrical current to the atomizer of the vaporization cartridge to heat the vaporizable material in the reservoir in response to the signal, the adapter further comprising a housing, the housing comprising a hollow shell configured to operate as a vaporization chamber, allowing air from the outside to mix inside, the adapter configured to act as a seal with the upper distal end of the downstem to prevent vaporized substances from escaping unless they have been filtered through the water, the outlet tapered to fit in tapered glass standards of 10 mm, 14 mm, 18 mm downstems, the adapter having a treaded female receptacle wherein the vaporization cartridge is configured to be screwed into the threaded female receptacle, the female receptacle of the adapter wired to a battery, the battery configured to power the circuit and the atomizer, wherein the atomizer heats the vaporizable material in the reservoir, wherein the battery is a 3.7 volt battery, the vaporization cartridge configured to be filled with vaporizable material, the vaporizable material is an aqueous solution of tobacco, the microprocessor connected to a voltage regulator to control the amount of power consumed by the atomizer, further comprising a temperature regulator configured to shut off or send a signal to the microprocessor terminating the flow of current to the atomizer when a predetermined temperature threshold has been reached, the adapter further configured to be charged by a USB outlet.

The present invention is directed to a method for utilizing a vaporization adapter system, the method comprising, screwing a vaporization cartridge into a female receptacle of an adapter, the vaporization cartridge having an atomizer and reservoir, the adapter having a receptacle to receive a vaporization cartridge, the adapter having an outlet configured to be inserted into a downstem of a water pipe, inserting adapter into the downstem of a water pipe, placing a mouth on a top opening of the water pipe and inhaling, determining a change in pressure, by one or more breath activated sensors of the adapter, sending, by the one or more breath activated sensors, a signal to a microprocessor; and providing, by the microprocessor, an electrical current to the atomizer of the vaporization cartridge to heat the vaporizable material in the reservoir in response to the signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the vaporization adapter system.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the adapter of the vaporization adapter system.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the adapter

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the adapter

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the interior of the adapter including the wiring.

FIG. 6 illustrates the interior of the adapter including the airflow through the adapter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

The term “comprises”, and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, among others, are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also contain one or more other components.

Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).

The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)-(a second number),” this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 mm means a range whose lower limit is 25 mm and upper limit is 100 mm.

Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as “inward” and “outward” would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise noted.

The present disclosure recognizes the unsolved need for a vaporization adapter for connecting a vaporization cartridge to a water pipe for not only preference but to provide additional filtration through the water submerged in the main body of the water pipe. The invention is directed to a breath activated vaporization adapter for water pipes, which allows the user to screw in a vaporization cartridge, insert the vaporization adapter into a water pipe and vaporize the vaporizable materials in the cartridge by breathing in to an opening on the water pipe.

With reference now to FIG. 1, one exemplary embodiment of vaporization adapter system 100, according to the present invention is generally designated. FIG. 1 illustrates the components of the vaporization system including water pipe 110, adapter 120, and the vaporization cartridge 130. Adapter 120 may be used with water pipe 110 whereby water pipe 110 provides additional filtration through the water. Water pipe 110 may be made out of glass, plastic, or any other material used by those of ordinary skill in the art that allows adapter 120 to be connected to water pipe 110. Water pipe 110 may have a main body 112 designed as water chamber in which the vapor air mixture cools as it passes over water 114 or through water 114 and then fills the chamber above the water, a downstem 115 which allows vapor air mixture to travel from the adapter 120 down to the main body 112, where it then percolates through water, and a top opening 119 acting as a mouthpiece where the user may inhale. Main body 112 may be of many shapes, depending on style and preference and include other features such as an ice pinch.

Downstem 115 may be tubular in shape with an opening at the upper distal end 116 and lower distal end 117 as well as a percolator at lower distal end 117 to provide more air and water to diffuse and cool the vapor. Downstem 115 may be permanently attached to main body 112 or removably attached. The percolator may be configured to draw in the vapor into water 114 as the user inhales, which creates bubbles. As more bubbles are created, the more the vapor expands, providing a smoother inhalation. Downstem 115 extends downward into main body 112 of water pipe 110 when downstem 115 is positioned into aperture 113 of main body 112 of water pipe 110 whereby downstem 115 is of a length such that the opening of the lower distal end 117 is submerged into water 114 poured into main body 112 of water pipe 110.

Adapter 120 may be configured to have a tight seal with upper distal end 116 of downstem 115 to prevent vaporized substances from escaping the system until they have been filtered through water 114. Adapter 120 may have an outlet hole 122, outlet hole 122 on a downward angled component 123 of adapter 120 whereby the downward angled component 123 allows adapter 120 to fit in downstem 115 and keep vaporization cartridge 130 upright. Outlet hole 120 may be tapered to fit in tapered glass standards of 10 mm, 14 mm, 18 mm downstems 115. However, this is non limiting and may be configured to fit downstems of any size. Once the vaporized substance is filtered through water 114, it may exit through top opening 119.

Adapter 120 may have a housing element for housing the components of the adapter together as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. Adapter 120 may be in the form of a 3D printed hollow shell. The housing may be in the form of a rocket shape however this is non-limiting and many different shapes may be used. The housing may act as a vaporization chamber inside because it is a hollow shell, allowing air from the outside to mix inside

Adapter 120 may have a treaded female receptacle 124 whereby vaporization cartridge 130 may be screwed into threaded female receptacle 124. In other non-limiting embodiments. Adapter 120 may have a snug-fit, snap-fit, or clamp connection with vaporization cartridge 130 or be connected by any method known by those of ordinary skill in the art. Vaporization cartridge 130 may compromise a reservoir 132 and an atomizer 134. Reservoir 132 may be filled vaporizable material such as an aqueous solution of tobacco or any other liquid solution. Reservoir 132 may be made of a material such polycarbonate plastic, but glass and stainless steel may be used as well as any other material known by those of ordinary skill in the art. Atomizer 132 may be comprised of a heating element that vaporizes the vaporizable material and a wicking material that draws the vaporizable material onto the atomizer to be heated. Atomizer 134 produces heat when activated in order to vaporize the vaporization material in the reservoir for inhalation by the user.

Female receptacle 124 of adapter 120 may be wired to a battery 126 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Battery 126 may be used to power the circuit and atomizer 134, whereby atomizer 134 heats the vaporizable material in reservoir 132. In a preferred embodiment, battery 126 may be a 3.7 volt battery, however, this is non-limiting and the battery may be of any size capable of providing power to the adapter. Battery 126 may be a rechargeable battery configured to be charged using a charging apparatus such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) charging apparatus. Battery 126 may be screwed or otherwise fastened into the USB charging apparatus whereby USB charging apparatus plugs into a USB outlet. The male end of the battery may be affixed to the USB charging apparatus to deliver current from a power source such as but not limited to an electrical outlet to the rechargeable battery element. In one or more non-limiting embodiments, a LED light or apparatus may be connected to the battery to indicate when the battery is charged.

Battery 126 may be connected to a microprocessor 127. The microprocessor may process data from a light pipe 123 having one or more breath activated sensors 128 and air inlet 129 and direct current flow to the atomizer 134, and to terminate current flow to atomizer 134 after a preprogrammed or otherwise predetermined amount of time.

Light pipe 123 has a channel through the light pipe that allows air to be drawn from air inlet 129 and then drawn past breath activated sensors 128 to activate them. Breath activated sensors 128 may then detect when user is drawing from the top opening 119 in the water pipe and, in response, activates microprocessor 127. Breath activation sensors 128 interrupt the ability to conduct current through vaporization cartridge 130 resulting in the vaporization only upon installation and inhalation. Light pipe 123 may have a LED light or apparatus connected to microprocessor to indicate when user is inhaling. Breath activated sensors 128 may be designed to detect changes in pressure, airflow, or vibration utilizing air entering air inlet 129. In one or more non-limiting embodiments, breath activated sensors 128 may also have wires extending into water pipe, the wires connected by adhesive or other types of fasteners. Breath activated sensors 128 may be mechanical or electrical pressure sensors whereby the pressures sensors are switches that allow current flow to the microprocessor in response to a change in pressure from connected air inlet 129, such as when the user inhales from the top opening 119 of the water pipe 110 when the adapter 120 is positioned into downstem 115 of the water pipe 110. Breath activated sensors 128 may be digital pressure sensors configured to pulse on and off at predetermined intervals to measure any change in pressure from air inlet 129 and provide direct measurement of the change in the pressure. Air inlet 129 may comprise a LED light or apparatus which may be connected to the battery to indicate when the battery is charged.

Microprocessor 127 may include or otherwise be connected to a voltage regulator to control the amount of power consumed by the atomizer and a temperature regulator to shut off or send a signal to microprocessor 127 terminating the flow of current to atomizer 134 when a predetermined temperature threshold has been reached as to prevent damage to vaporization adapter system 100. Microprocessor 127 may have a timer configured to shut off the heating element after a preprogrammed time in order to avoid a surplus dose of the vaporizable material and eliminate the need to regulate the temperature. The timer may be configured to shut off at a predetermined amount of time after breath activated sensors send a signal to the microprocessor. After a predetermined amount of time, such as 5 seconds, the timer may shut off or send a signal to microprocessor 127 terminating current flow to atomizer 134.

In a preferred method of use, water 114 or another cooling solution may be poured into main body 112 of water pipe 110 from top opening 119. Adapter 120 may be charged by plugging USB charging into a USB outlet. Vaporization cartridge 130 is screwed into female receptacle 124 of adapter 120. Adapter 120 is then inserted into downstem 115. User then places their mouth on top opening 119 and inhales, creating a vacuum. Air flows through air inlet 129 and then into breath activated sensors 128 activating them. Breath activated sensors 128 then determine a change in pressure and send a signal to microprocessor 127, which then provides electrical current to atomizer 134 to heat the vaporizable material in reservoir 132. In other non-limiting embodiments, adapter 120 may be charged by one or more portable batteries of different sizes and types inserted into a cavity or receptacle positioned inside adapter 120, such as a 9-volt battery and D, C, AAA, AA, etc. size cells. The cavity may be configured to receive and charge batteries of different sizes. In further embodiments, adapter 120 may be charged by methods known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The vaporized material is then sucked through the bottom of vaporization cartridge 130 where it then mixes with the air inside adapter 120 from air inlet 129 drawn past breath activated sensor 128. The vapor air mixture then travels through exit hole 122 on the bottom of adapter 120 where it is drawn down through downstem 115 and is bubbled through water 114 to cool the vapor air mixture as well as remove contaminants from the vapor air mixture until eventually being drawn through top opening to be inhaled by the user. User then may vaporize additional vaporizable material as long as they desire or until the vaporizable material has been expired by user. User may place another vaporization cartridge 130 if they so wish. Once user is finished using the water pipe, user may remove adapter 120 from downstem 115 and pour out water 114. User may clean water pipe, replace vaporization cartridge 130 from adapter 120, and store for subsequent use.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present invention according to one or more embodiments described in the present description may be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A vaporization adapter system comprising: an adapter; a water pipe having a top opening; a vaporization cartridge; the adapter having a receptacle to receive a vaporization cartridge, the adapter having an outlet configured to be inserted into a downstem of a water pipe.
 2. The vaporization adapter system of claim 1: the vaporization cartridge having an atomizer and reservoir.
 3. The vaporization adapter system of claim 2 further comprising: one or more breath activated sensors configured to determine a change in pressure and send a signal to a microprocessor, the microprocessor configured to provide electrical current to the atomizer of the vaporization cartridge to heat the vaporizable material in the reservoir in response to the signal.
 4. The vaporization adapter system of claim 1, the adapter further comprising a housing, the housing a hollow shell configured to operate as a vaporization chamber, allowing air from the outside to mix inside.
 5. The vaporization adapter system of claim 1, the adapter configured to act as a seal with the upper distal end of the downstem to prevent vaporized substances from escaping unless they have passed through the water pipe.
 6. The vaporization adapter system of claim 1, the outlet tapered to fit in tapered glass standards of 10 mm, 14 mm, and 18 mm downstems.
 7. The vaporization adapter system of claim 1, the adapter having a treaded female receptacle wherein the vaporization cartridge is configured to be secured into the threaded female receptacle.
 8. The vaporization adapter system of claim 7, the female receptacle of the adapter wired to a power source, the power source configured to power the circuit and the atomizer, wherein the atomizer heats the vaporizable material in the reservoir.
 9. The vaporization adapter system of claim 7, wherein the battery is a 3.7 volt battery
 10. The vaporization adapter system of claim 1, the vaporization cartridge configured to be filled with vaporizable material.
 11. The vaporization adapter system of claim 10, the vaporizable material is aqueous solution of tobacco.
 12. The vaporization adapter system of claim 3, the microprocessor connected to a voltage regulator to control the amount of power consumed by the atomizer.
 13. The vaporization adapter system of claim 12 further comprising a temperature regulator configured to shut off or send a signal to the microprocessor, terminating the flow of current to the atomizer when a predetermined temperature threshold has been reached.
 14. The vaporization adapter system of claim 13, the adapter further configured to be charged by a USB outlet.
 15. A method for utilizing a vaporization adapter system, the method comprising: screwing a vaporization cartridge screwed into a female receptacle of an adapter, the vaporization cartridge having an atomizer and reservoir, the adapter having a receptacle to receive a vaporization cartridge, the adapter having an outlet configured to be inserted into a downstem of a water pipe.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: inserting the adapter into the downstem of a water pipe.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: placing a mouth on a top opening of the water pipe and inhaling
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: determining a change in pressure, by one or more breath activated sensors of the adapter; sending, by the one or more breath activated sensors, a signal to a microprocessor; and providing, by the microprocessor, electrical current to the atomizer of the vaporization cartridge to heat the vaporizable material in a reservoir in response to the signal.
 19. A vaporization adapter system comprising: an adapter; a water pipe; a vaporization cartridge; the vaporization cartridge having an atomizer and reservoir; the water pipe containing water, the adapter having a receptacle to receive a vaporization cartridge, the adapter having an outlet configured to be inserted into a downstem of a water pipe, one or more breath activated sensors configured to determine a change in pressure and send a signal to a microprocessor, the microprocessor configured to provide electrical current to the atomizer of the vaporization cartridge to heat the vaporizable material in the reservoir in response to the signal, the adapter a hollow shell configured to operate as a vaporization chamber, allowing air from the outside to mix inside, the adapter configured to act as a seal with the upper distal end of the downstem to prevent vaporized substances from escaping unless they have been filtered through water in the water pipe, the adapter having a treaded female receptacle wherein the vaporization cartridge is configured to be screwed into the threaded female receptacle.
 20. The vaporization adapter system of claim 19, the female receptacle of the adapter wired to a battery, the battery configured to power the circuit and the atomizer, wherein the atomizer heats the vaporizable material in the reservoir, the microprocessor connected to a voltage regulator to control the amount of power consumed by the atomizer and a temperature regulator to shut off or send a signal to microprocessor terminating the flow of current to the atomizer when a predetermined temperature threshold has been reached. 